title: Behçet's syndrome: facts and controversies.
abstract: Behçet's syndrome is a systemic vasculitis of small and large vessels affecting both veins and arteries. Almost all patients with Behçet's syndrome have recurrent oral aphthae, followed by genital ulcers, variable skin lesions, such as erythema nodosum and papulopustuler lesions, arthritis, uveitis, thrombophlebitis, and gastrointestinal and central nervous system involvement. Recent epidemiologic works suggest that genetic factors are more important than environmental factors in its pathogenesis. European League Against Rheumatism guidelines were recently published for the treatment of Behçet's syndrome. Although these are quite useful for the management of mucocutaneous, eye, and joint involvement, treatment of vascular, neurological, and gastrointestinal involvement are still problematic as there are no controlled studies for these manifestations. This contribution addresses the epidemiology, mucocutaneous manifestations, diagnostic criteria, and evidence-based therapies, including biologic agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, 34098 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mat
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, 34098 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sebahattin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yurdakul
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, 34098 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayşegül
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sevim
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, 34098 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yılmaz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Özyazgan
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, 34098 Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: yalcintuzun@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yalçın
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tüzün
mesh_terms: D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D003078:Colchicine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003078:Colchicine